The 42-year-old, a native of Kenya, was chosen by her party, the SDLP, and verified as the first citizen of the Strabane District Council and Derry City on Monday night.
Ms. Seenoi-Barr identified as a Maasai lady and a Derry girl. She made history last year when she was elected as the first black person to hold public office in Northern Ireland.
She claimed that since the announcement of her nomination, she has received death threats and racial comments.
Congratulations my dear sister for being elected first black mayor in Northern Ireland. pic.twitter.com/uOUbFro9Wg
— Sen. Ledama Olekina (@ledamalekina) June 3, 2024
Despite the unpleasant nature of the threats, she acknowledged that she has received tremendous support from politicians and community organisations around the island.
Darren Guy, a councillor for the Ulster Unionist Party, received a deputy mayor nomination.
There was more history at two other councils in the area.
Following his installation, Micky Murray, the newly elected Lord Mayor of Belfast, declared himself to be the first publicly homosexual mayor of the capital of Northern Ireland. Meanwhile, Pete Byrne was the first openly LGBT+ chair of the Newry, Mourne, and Down Council.
I am certain this will elevate Northern Ireland to a completely new level.
By Tom from Lisbon on 05 Jun 2024, 06:55
Congratulations, Northern Ireland! I am looking forward to the day when only a person's ability counts, and their race, gender or sexual orientation is of no consequence. And when we remember snide remarks and hateful acts such as death threats as relics of an era long gone ...
By Erika Jakubassa from Algarve on 05 Jun 2024, 10:27